A New Era of Acolytes

Part of it is long-standing tradition of our young people serving as acolytes. Click on the photo above to see it full sized -- it's some Trinity acolytes way back in the 1970s!

We've certainly got the gear -- and there's another set of vestments as well!

You'll see lots more of our acolytes today on this page, all the way from the 2001 Triduum Sacrum and Easter Sunday to our New Era of Acolytes -- the present time.

But first,  how do Trinity Kids get started learning to be acolytes?

Here's where it starts: 

Whenever we can, we show even the youngest that they are part of our Worship.  Here, a Minister of Communion gets some assistance with the Advent Candles from a future Trinity acolyte.  Pretty much all our acolytes start out this way.  Here's a Sunday School student extinguishing the candles in September 2009:

And, here is a future acolyte extinguishing the candles with assistance in November 2009 (click on either of these to see a larger image):

Click on the photo above to see some Trinity acolytes in October, 2006.

Click on the photo above to see a new Crucifer, on November 8, 2009

Here, Pastor Heidi instructs an acolyte in supporting the Ministers of Communion by providing them with sanctified wine

A new Lexifer during the recessional

Acolyte holds the Liturgy of Baptism from which the Priest is reading during an adult baptism in November 2009

Pastor Heidi looks on approvingly as another new acolyte practices for her debut on Advent I, 2009

Acolytes receive ongoing coaching

Labor Day Sunday, 2006:   some new acolytes made their debut

Senior Warden Linda Lloyd and Minister of Communion Sue Kozlowski instructing	Carrying the Gospel book
Learning to place the torches	More practice with the torch
Sue checking with the torchbearers	Some last minute coaching
All set to go!	Click on any of these thumbnails to see a much larger version of the picture.  to see this team in action when we were visited by the Choir of Trinity Church, Wall Street!

Lighting the candles on the Altar, January 2010

A new acolyte team made its debut on January 31, 2010

Commissioning of the Acolytes

Once the new acolytes have been trained and have demonstrated that they both can handle the responsibility of serving at the Altar and have a real interest in continuing as acolytes, we formally commission them using the ceremony from the Book of Occasional Services

Here are two pictures from the commissioning held October 15, 2006, with the Rt. Rev. Cyril Wismar presiding, and with Senior Warden (and Minister of Communion) Linda Lloyd presenting the candidates.

Click on the picture below to see an acolyte team in 2005, while preparing to serve at a Baptism...    

...and again, this time on Palm Sunday 2003 (shown with their proud mom!)

Back in 2000, an acolyte team leaves Walker Hall to begin the procession

Here is one of our acolytes serving as processional crucifer for the Maundy Thursday service.

 ...and, the acolyte's role at the Great Vigil of Easter is particularly important because the acolyte lights the candles of the parishioners for the Great Procession

(You're right!! You HAVE seen this acolyte team in action before!! -- they were the acolyte team for Maundy Thursday earlier in 2000!  But for Pentecost, the acolytes wear red robes at Trinity.)